Weekend College Games: NCAA First, Second & Third Rounds

College field hockey has now entered NCAA tournament play. USA Field Hockey highlights each Division Tournament this weekend.
Photo courtesy of Tufts Athletics

DIVISION I: FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018

SCHEDULE & PREVIEW

Karen Shelton Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C.

No. 1 North Carolina vs. William & Mary | 12:00 p.m. ET | UNC Facebook LiveNorth Carolina secured the top seed and the right to host the First and Second Round games of the NCAA Tournament after winning the program's 21st Atlantic Coast Conference title. North Carolina scored seven goals in the championship match to move their record to 19-0. They also finished first in goals in scoring margin and first in goals against, allowing less than one goal per game. The Tar Heels are making their 16th NCAA appearance in a row, the 35th in program history. North Carolina has made more NCAA appearances than any other school and the team seeks their seventh NCAA Division I National Title. William & Mary (12-7) defeated Monmouth 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday to advance to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. This was the Tribes' first NCAA win out of three previous attempts, as well as the NCAA-best and program-record setting sixth-overtime win this year. William & Mary has set other records this season winning the program’s first ever Colonial Athletic Association Championship.

No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 10 Saint Joseph's | 2:30 p.m. ET | UNC Facebook LiveMichigan is making their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Wolverines made it all the way to the semifinals before getting knocked out by Maryland. Michigan has advanced to the semifinals in four of their 14 appearances, and have played in the national title game twice. Michigan is 13-6 overall and finished 7-1 in conference play. They captured a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, the programs second in as many years. The Wolverines received an at-large berth to the tournament after winning 14 of their last 17 games including six against nationally ranked opponents. Saint Joseph’s enters the tournament with a 14-game winning streak and are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history after claiming their second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship. This gave the Hawks an automatic bid into the tournament, where they sit with a record of 18-2 overall. Saint Joseph’s and Michigan have never played against each other.

Jack Katz Stadium, Durham, N.C.

No. 4 Duke vs. No. 24 Miami (OH) | 12:00 p.m. ET | Duke Facebook LiveNo. 2 Duke (16-3) earned the No. 4 seed and will host the First and Second Round games of the NCAA Tournament this weekend. The Blue Devils captured the program's sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and 17th appearance overall. Duke has made it to the semifinals have also made four trips to the title match. The last time the Blue Devils made it to the NCAA Championship round was in 2013. Miami of Ohio (16-6) shutout Boston University 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. This was Miami's 11th shutout of the season, which leads Division I programs in the country. The Red Hawks earned their place in the tournament after this win and also by capturing the MAC Tournament Championship. This is their fourth tournament appearance in program history.

No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 12 Wake Forest | 2:30 p.m. ET | Duke Facebook LiveBoth Iowa and Wake Forest received an at-large selection into the 2018 NCAA Tournament and will face off in the First Round this Friday. Iowa is 14-6 overall they enter the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012. The Hawkeyes proved themselves after a series of upsets to get them into the Big Ten title match and are among the top five teams in the country for goals against. Wake Forest is making their 17th overall trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Demon Deacons earned their spot after defeating higher-ranked Louisville and Duke to make a run at the ACC Championship. Wake Forest (11-9) opened the 2018 season against Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, where the Hawkeyes earned a 2-1 victory. Both of these teams are coming off a runner-up finished in their respective conference tournaments.

Bedford Field, Princeton, N.J.

No. 3 Princeton vs. No. 13 Virginia | 12:00 p.m. ET | ESPN3No. 3 Princeton earned the right to host the First and Second Round games after an impressive season including wins over higher ranked Connecticut and Duke. The Tigers (13-4) are making their 24th NCAA Tournament appearance in their second ever at-large bid. Princeton has played in 16 NCAA quarterfinals, seven semifinals and three championship games. They won their first NCAA title in 2012. Virginia (9-9) earned one of eight at-large bids into the 2018 tournament in their 23rd trip. They secured their spot in the tournament by winning their last three regular season games against Wake Forest, Maryland and William & Mary. Last year, Virginia and Princeton met in the First Round with the Tigers defeating the Cavaliers 3-2 in double overtime.

No. 6 Harvard vs. No. 9 Penn State | 2:30 p.m. ET | ESPN3Harvard (16-1) won an at-large bid with a record setting season winning the regular season Ivy League title with an undefeated 7-0 record. Harvard defeated site host No. 3 Princeton earlier this season and are making their sixth trip to the NCAA Tournament. Harvard has previously made appearances in 1991, 2000, 2004 and 2016. Penn State (12-5) also earned an at-large bid into the tournament, marking the 12th time in the last 14 seasons that they have earned a spot, including the third straight year. The Nittany Lions will make their 33rd tournament appearance which is the second most out of any program in the country. This will be the first-ever meeting in field hockey between Harvard and Penn State, and both sides will be looking to win their first ever NCAA title in program history.

Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, College Park, Md.

No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 17 Albany | 12:00 p.m. ET | Live StatsMaryland (19-2) won the Big Ten Championship, earning them the No. 2 seed and right to host the first and Second Round games of the NCAA Tournament. This is Maryland’s 24th straight appearance, which is the longest active streak in the country, dating back to 1995. The Terrapins also have the highest NCAA winning percentage of any team at 73.2 percent. Albany (16-4) earned their sixth tournament bid in program history. The Great Danes are the only team from the America East conference to make the NCAA Tournament. The last time these two teams met was in 2015 when Albany upset then top-ranked Maryland 2-1.

No. 5 Connecticut vs. No. 11 Rutgers | 2:30 p.m. ET | Live StatsBig East Conference champion Connecticut (18-3) earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, giving the Huskies their 16th straight tournament appearance and 22nd overall. UConn has won five NCAA Championships, with three of those titles happenings in the last five years. Rutgers (13-5) earned one of eight at-large bids into the tournament in their first appearance since 1986. Rutgers secured their spot by defeating five ranked opponents earlier this season. Connecticut and Rutgers haven’t played each other since 2013.

Winners of the First Round games will advance to the Second Round on Sunday, November 11 at 1 p.m. ET. Winners of the Second Round matches will advance to the NCAA Division I semifinals being held at the University of Louisville at Trager Field in Louisville, Ky. on Friday, November 16. Tickets for the 2018 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship will be available to purchase by clicking here.

DIVISION III: SECOND & THIRD ROUNDS

NCAA Division III First Round games took place on Wednesday, November 7 narrowing the playing field to 16 teams. The Second Round will kick off on Saturday, November 10 with multi-conference champions fighting for a chance to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018

SCHEDULE & PREVIEW

Anderson Turf Field, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

No. 1 Messiah vs. Endicott | 11:00 a.m. ET | GameCentralMessiah was awarded a bye through the First Round before hosting the Second and Third Round games on Saturday, November 10. Messiah (19-0) earned the right to host after going undefeated and winning their 12th-straight Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Championship. The Falcons are riding an impressive 19-game winning streak this season and are looking to capture their second Division III National Championship. Endicott (18-4) received an automatic bid into the First Round after winning the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship. In the first round, the Gulls defeated Saint Joseph's (Maine) 3-1 this past Wednesday to advance to the Second Round. The win was the first NCAA Tournament win for Endicott in program history.

No. 9 Johns Hopkins vs. FDU-Florham | 2:00 p.m. ET | The other Second Round game will be a match-up will be between Johns Hopksins and FDU-Florham. Johns Hopkins (17-2) also earned a First Round bye and punched their ticket to the Second Round after claiming the Centennial Conference Championship. This will be Johns Hopkins' first NCAA appearance in over a decade but their ninth overall trip to the tournament. FDU-Florham (18-4) received an automatic bid into the First Round after winning the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Championship. In the First Round, they defeated Susquehanna 1-0 to advance to the Second Round this Saturday. The win was the third NCAA Tournament victory in program history.

Sea Gull Stadium, Salisbury, Md.

No. 6 Salisbury vs. Washington & Jefferson | 11:00 a.m. ET | Live StatsSalisbury (16-2) earned a First Round bye and the right to host the regional rounds of the 2018 NCAA Tournament after winning its 21st Capital Athletic Conference Championship. Salisbury are 5-time NCAA Division III Champions with their last title being in 2009. The Sea Gulls will be making their 34th NCAA Tournament appearance. Washington & Jefferson (18-1) received an automatic bid into the first round after capturing the Empire 8 title for the second year in a row. In the First Round, Washington & Jefferson defeated Rhodes 3-0 to advance to the Second Round. The win was the first NCAA postseason win for the program.

No. 4 Tufts vs. Smith | 2:00 p.m. ET |

Tufts (16-2) earned their 10th at-large berth and First Round bye in the NCAA Tournament after finishing as the New England Small College Athletic Conference runner-up this fall. Tufts are returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 when they lost a heartbreaker in the national championship game. The Jumbos won the 2012 national title and have a 15-8 overall mark in the NCAA Tournament. Smith (15-7) received earned a spot in the First Round games after winning the programs first-ever New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference title. In the First Round, Smith defeated Montclair State 1-0 to advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Smith has now won its last six games and this will be their second appearance in the Second Round in program history.

Kohn Field, Middlebury, Vt.

No. 2 Middlebury vs. Keene State | 11:00 a.m. ET | Northeast Sports Network The reigning National Champions, Middlebury (17-1) will make its 16th-consecutive and 19th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament when it hosts the Second Round of play starting this Saturday, November 10. Middlebury earned the right to host and a bye in the First Round after claiming the New England Small College Athletic Conference title for the sixth time in program history. Keene State (18-6) earned a bid into the NCAA First Round after capturing their sixth consecutive Little East Tournament title and will be their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. In the First Round, the Owls defeated SUNY New Paltz 4-3 to advance. Keene State has reached the Second Round previously in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

Vassar (18-1) punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the program's first ever Liberty League title. The win earned Vassar an automatic bid and a bye in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Vassar has an impressive 16-game winning streak with only one loss this season. TCNJ (15-4) earned an at-large bid into the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in their 35th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In the First Round, the Lions defeated Keystone 3-0 to advance to the Second Round. The last time TCNJ won a NCAA Title was in 1981.

Wackar Stadium, Glassboro, N.J.

No. 3 Rowan vs. Lynchburg | 11:00 a.m. ET | YouTube LiveThe Rowan (20-0) University field hockey team will host the Second and Third Rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Rowan earned an automatic bid and a bye in the First Round after claiming the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Title. The victory was their seventh NJAC championship and first since 2009. The Profs will be making their first NCAA appearance since 2012 and 18th overall appearance. Lynchburg (16-5) earned an automatic bid into the First Round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Title. In the First Round, the Hornets defeated Denison 3-1 to advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Lynchburg will be making their 17th NCAA Tournament appearance

The other Second Round game will be a match-up between Rochester and Franklin & Marshall. Rochester (17-3) earned an at-large berth and a bye in the First-Round of the NCAA Tournament after the most successful season in school history. They had a school record 14-game winning streak to start the season and only lost twice this year. The berth into the Tournament was the Yellow Jacket's fourth-straight and fifth overall in program history.Franklin & Marshall (17-3) received an at-large berth into the First Round of the NCAA Tournament where they defeated Gwynedd Mercy 2-0 to advance to the Second Round. The berth marked the 12th overall and fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for Franklin & Marshall. The Diplomats have now reached the NCAA Tournament seven out of the last eight seasons. Franklin & Marshall made it to the Final Four last season before falling to eventually national champions, Middlebury.

Winners of the Second Round games will advance to the Third Round games on Sunday, November 11. Winners of those matches will move on to the NCAA Division III Semifinals, which will be held at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

East Stroudsburg received the No. 2 seed while Shippensburg received the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Region side of the bracket. This is the third meeting of the season between East Stroudsburg and Shippensburg. East Stroudsburg won the first two meetings this season. The winner of this first round game will play No.1 seed Millersville (17-4) in the NCAA semifinals on Friday, November 18th.

After capturing its first NEWMAC Championship, Babson (19-2) was selected to host the Second and Third Rounds of the NCAA Division III Championship. Babson captured the NEWMAC title with a 1-0 win over MIT last weekend. Babson received an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament and a first-round bye game. This will be Babson’s third NCAA tournament appearance. Babson will take on St. John Fisher on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST. St. John Fisher (19-2) claimed a spot in the Sweet 16 after they defeated Rhodes in double overtime 2-1 last Wednesday. This victory was the first time in program history that St. John Fisher has won an NCAA contest. The other contest being played at Babson will take place at 2 p.m. and is between TCNJ (16-3) and Franklin & Marshall (15-4). The top ranked TCNJ earned an automatic bid and a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament after winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship last weekend. TCNJ has 11 NCAA national titles in program history with their most recent coming in 2011 and 2014. Franklin & Marshall beat King’s (Pa.) 2-1 this past Wednesday to advance to the Sweet 16 in the DIII NCAA Tournament. This is Franklin & Marshall’s third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16.